Oklahoma

Each state has its own set of statutes and regulations on licensing doctors, accommodating patients who wish to file complaints, and releasing information about physicians who have been subject to discipline and legal action. On this page, we’re sharing the key findings regarding Oklahoma, which we will continue to update as the series progresses.

Key fact: The medical and osteopathic boards do not post disciplinary orders online, and their online lists of disciplinary actions do not include the reasons the doctors were sanctioned. The public must pay for copies of orders.

Researching a doctor

  • Accurate records of sexual abuse accusations against doctors are not always easily accessible. In Oklahoma, there are two regulatory boards. The Oklahoma Board of Medical Lincensure regulates MD physicians and surgeons. The best chance of finding problems isby searching this database here, which includes a filter for doctors with disciplinary actions. Ostheopathic physicians are regulated by the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. You can search for physician records here, but you will need to contact the board directly to request any specifics on board orders issued. The board also offers a list of disciplined doctors, but it only dates back five years. Please note that license search results typically include all public disciplinary actions, not just those involving sexual misconduct, and can sometimes include vague language. Also, some states deal with some disciplinary issues privately; private board orders are not included.

Where to file a complaint

Quoted

“There exists in a physician’s position such a vast disparity of power and influence between the physician and those affected by this disparity that sexual relationships are improper and unprofessional…Consent by the patient shall be no defense."

— Oklahoma board of Medical Licensure and Supervision position statement on sexual misconduct

Highlighted case

Dr. Juan Lases

Back in 1986, the Oklahoma board suspended Lases' license because of sexual misconduct with two minor patients -- a 10-year-old male and a 17-year-old female. But in 1988, the board allowed him to return to practice on probation, and all the conditions of probation were lifted in 1991.

Then in 2010, the doctor signed an agreement not to practice, and in 2012 was pleaded no contest to sexual battery and indecent exposure.

A news report said he groped a patient while masturbating.

A judge called him a sexual predator after he admitted he had masturbated in public more than 100 times, according to The Oklahoman.

The judge sentenced Lases to 10 years in prison. In 2013, he surrendered his license.

The Journal-Constitution was unable to reach Lases for comment.

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